I don't buy a lot of books.
I know, you are about to have some stern words with me about supporting the book industry. But here's the thing: I want my dollars to really count. I want to support the authors I adore, not end up with a house full of books I will never read again. I think of my book purchases as a way to say, "Hey, Nick Harkaway. I like what you are doing. Keep on writing." or "Elisa Albert, your book was really important to me."
There are some authors whose entire collections I hope to amass, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Madeleine L'Engle. Multiple editions? Yes, please. These are the books I will come back to again and again. I want them physically on my shelves for me to see, to touch, to experience over and over.
I don't buy as many books as some other readers. But my purchases matter. The books I buy speak volumes about what I value in a story and the things that I want to see in the future from writers and publishers.
What is your book buying philosophy?
Yesssss. The whole buckling shelves idea really bothers me, too. I definitely have far more books than the average person, but I'm far from feeling like it's an "addiction". I'm with you in heading to the library first, and I often buy finished copies of ARCs or library books I love to fill my collection.
ReplyDeleteYup. I love books and will always have a book by my side, but I don't feel the need to compulsively buy them until my bank account is empty!
DeleteI really love your philosophy.
ReplyDeleteIn my younger years (says the 24 year old) I was all about the library. I didn't own my first actual proper book (not talking children's books here) until my late teens. Then I went on some book buying frenzy and now I've taken a step back a little. Of course I do still buy books on impulse, but I don't buy books all that often and when I do it is typically books that have been on my wishlist for some time.
I also don't keep all the books I buy... I've gotten really good at weeding out my collection and keep only those books I see myself returning to in the future. So yes, sometimes I do get rid of books that I have barely even touched the surface of my bookshelves, but I know it may well be going on to someone who LOVES the book. I know some people find that a waste of money, but I really don't.
Amassing a collection of books you truly love and making your purchases count and matter is definitely the way forward.
All Things Bookish – Jade Louise
Weeding books out can be tough, right? But I agree - it's better to know someone else is reading and enjoying it rather than just sitting on your shelves gathering dust.
DeleteI don't really buy books either - typically I get most of my stuff from the library, but if I see something that I really, really loved, I'll buy it to reread. I want to own a lot of books, but I want to also be discriminating as I curate my collection!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think being discriminating is important. I'm sometimes confused by the bloggers who have more books than they could ever hope to read!
DeleteI don't buy as many books as I used to, but I still buy them. Especially books that I've read and love and want to have on my shelves. I also have favorite authors that I "collect"; and I find myself wanting to own my own copy of a lot of classic novels because those are books you almost need to read more than once. (But if I had more money and a larger house I'd probably splurge more on books I haven't read.)
ReplyDeleteI love collecting books by my favorite authors! When I do buy books, I love reading a story and then setting it next to other books by an author who has never let me down.
DeleteLike you, I don't buy books very much. I do hope to do a bit more in the future to support authors I love, but I currently feel as though promoting them on my blog is my contribution. I do buy my very favorite books though and anything I have the opportunity to get signed.
ReplyDelete